Lighting Arrangement for a Suspended Ceiling Grid System Containing Decorative Co-Planar Ceiling Components

ABSTRACT

A method of creating a sculpted decorative ceiling with lighting fixtures in a suspended ceiling grid utilizing ceiling components constructed with structural side elements and a floor, forming a cavity that extends downward three to five inches. Each individual component has a perimeter installation flange enabling it to be installed into a new or existing ceiling grid system cell. The said components esthetic contours and functional structural side elements, as well as the size of the perimeter installation flange create space(s) between installed components, throughout an entire ceiling arrangement of said components or in specific areas of arrangements of said components, for luminesce channel(s) in which may be positioned one or more lighting fixtures, or combinations of lighting fixtures, attached to the room facing surfaces of the cross tee or main runner flanges that comprise the ceiling grid structural assembly. Components may have floor perimeter shapes approximately equal in area to the entire ceiling grid cell, or they may have floors perimeter shapes occupying only part of the ceiling grid cell with a filler section at right angles to the structural side elements of the component that extend co-planer to the perimeter installation flange. Ceiling components can come in a variety of floor profile shapes allowing the construction of a wide variety of arrangements in the suspended ceiling grid. The side panels and the floor can be created with a wide variety of decorative surfaces.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART

U.S. patents Pat. No. Kind Code Issue Date Patentee 3001001 A Sep. 19, 1961 John C. Bibb 3352071 A Nov. 17, 1967 Osmond S. Sutter 3085152 A Apr. 09, 1963 Robert A D Schwartz Steven W. Lindiem 4393631 A Dec. 03, 1980 Edward A. Krent 4189888 A Dec. 26, 1980 Jacob H. Blitzer 6782670 A Aug. 31, 2004 Alan C. Wendt

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present Invention relates to interior design of ceiling grid systems, in particular a finishing system of components with co-planar surfaces three to five inches below the ceiling grid plane, designed to have channels for lighting between each component. Components and lighting channels have variable placement and modification capabilities that when placed in a new or existing suspended ceiling grid, can be arranged to create set-out style ceiling designs with lighting channels between the components.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The present practice of suspended ceiling grid design offers flat, three dimensional and textured drop in ceiling panels or tiles (hence forth called ‘panels’) that are arranged in decorative combinations across the grid surface and but do not address ‘drop ceiling’ or traditional ceiling perimeter ‘soffit’ style enhancements. Lighting for ceiling grids, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,001,001, 3,352,071, 3,085,153 provides for main lighting, but the patents do not mention use with decorative co-planar ceiling components. The creation of set-out designs, available in typical suspended ceiling construction practice exists, but only with elaborate, costly and time consuming grid attachment systems, and those systems do not allow for a luminescent channel for main or accent lighting.

The present Invention is a system of components that, when dropped into the ceiling grid cells, alone or in combination, will create suspended ceiling arrangements whose co-planer major surfaces drop down from the suspended grid co-planer surface three to five inches to give the design effect of set-out construction, and the design of those ceiling components allows room for a luminescent channel, with lighting components positioned on the room facing side of the ceiling grid structure, creating luminescent light for either main or accent lighting.

SUMMARY

The present invention is system of three dimensional pressed, assembled or molded suspended ceiling panels made from code compliant materials, being three to five inches in height, with luminescence channel spacing provided by the design of the perimeter flange, allowing lighting components to attach to the ceiling grid in between the three dimensional ceiling panels. These components co-planer decorative, room facing major surfaces are set-out, downward thru the Grid Cell Opening, three to five inches, and parallel with the ceiling grid structure. A plurality of panel shapes with these properties, used alone or in combination, allows the creation of set-out ceiling designs with luminescent channels between for the placement of lighting.

The Sculpted Grid System consists of three basic component panel types with co-planer Decorative Major Surfaces 13; a Main or ‘square’ Component 1, a Transitional or ‘corner’ Component 2 and a Shape Specific component 3. The Main Component 1 is the ‘body’ of the system, accomplishing the majority of design area coverage. The exemplary Transitional Components 2 shown consist of but are not limited to; a Convex Transitional Component 23, a Concave Transitional Component 22 and a Diagonal Transitional Component 24. These components are used to transition or ‘finish’ the inside or outside Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 of Main Component 1 arrangements. Shape Specific Components 3 are custom made for Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 arrangements involving special radius and curved designs.

As such, these components can be arranged in the suspended ceiling grid to create any number of set-out style designs, all of which have luminescent channels between components, and room for a lighting component. For example, one might place two rows of the Main Components 1 side by side along the perimeter of a room and two rows of said components extending side by side from the center of the perimeter placed components to the center of the room. If the design required a curved esthetic, the inside Transition Components 2 could be a Concave Transitional Component 22 and the outside Transition Components 2 could be Convex Transitional Component 23. The relationship of the Co-planer Major surfaces and the transitional continuity of the Minor surfaces are essential elements of this system.

In addition, dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between each panel. At the top of this cavity, a down facing LED Channel Lighting System 17 can be mounted on the Grid Exposed Surface 18 to create a special lighting effect. This Luminescent Channel 16 serves to diffuse light and, without lighting, enhances room acoustics. Employing this type of lighting system throughout an entire arrangement of these panels would provide additional low cost main or accent room lighting. These components decorative surfaces may be finished with applied color systems, laminates, and graphic imagery.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the Invention to provide system of components with specific and variable arrangement capabilities that allow the creation of set-out style construction when placed in a suspended ceiling grid, and includes luminescent channels between components. The spacing for the channels is provided by the perimeter flange 7.

It is another object of the Invention to provide a system whose components all share the same material and structural properties.

It is the primary object of the Invention that dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface, three to five inches, creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between said components.

It is an additional object of the Invention that an LED Channel Lighting System may be positioned at the top of said Luminescent Channels and attached to the down into the room facing Ceiling Grid Exposed Surface 18.

It is also an object of the Invention that the components may be installed modified or unmodified.

It is an additional object of the Invention that the components of said Sculpted Grid System may be modified to accept a variety of installed or attached Decorative Insert Elements.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosed or claimed subject matter and is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosed or claimed subject matter. Specifically, features disclosed herein with respect to one embodiment may be equally applicable to another. Further, this summary is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.

Another object of the Invention is the decorative surfaces may finished with applied color systems, laminates, decorative inserts and attachments as well as graphic imagery.

It is a final object of the Invention that the relationships in a design arrangement of the systems Co-planer Major Surfaces and traditional ‘flat’ ceiling panel surfaces, as well as the transitional continuity of the systems Minor surfaces, are essential elements of the said Sculpted Grid System.

These and other objects of the Invention will become apparent after review of the following text and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed subject matter will be further explained with reference to the attached figures, wherein like structure or system elements are referred to by like reference numerals throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a Main Component of said Sculpted Grid System.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the Main Component in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a Transitional Component with a convex element of said Sculpted Grid System.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the Transitional Component in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a Transitional Component with a concave element of said Sculpted Grid System.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the Transitional Component in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a Transitional Component with a diagonal element of said Sculpted Grid System.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the Transitional Component in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top elevation view of the placement of said Sculpted Grid System Components in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid.

FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation view of the placement and relationship of Main and Transitional Components of said Sculpted Grid System in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid.

FIG. 11 is a bottom elevation view of the placement and relationship of Main and Transitional Components of said Sculpted Grid System in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid.

FIG. 12 is a bottom elevation view of the placement and relationship of Main and Transitional Components of said Sculpted Grid System in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid.

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid arrangement of Main and Transitional Components of said Sculpted Grid System.

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid arrangement of Main and Specific Shape Components of said Sculpted Grid System.

FIG. 15 is a room perspective view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid arrangement of Main and Transitional Components of said Sculpted Grid System.

FIG. 16 is a room perspective view of the placement of LED Channel Lighting System components attached to an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid in relation to Main Components of said Sculpted Grid System.

FIG. 17 is a room perspective view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid arrangement of Main Components, of said Sculpted Grid System, whose wall periphery is interrupted by an architectural column.

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the plenum facing surfaces of a Main Component shown in FIG. 17 that is being modified.

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the plenum facing surfaces of the Main Component shown in FIG. 18 after modification.

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view detailing the properties of the Finishing Material used for the modification of the Main Component in FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of an additional structural variation of a system Main Component designed to incorporate a Decorative Insert Element.

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of an additional structural variation of a system Main Component shown in FIG. 21 designed to incorporate two Decorative Insert Elements.

FIG. 23 is a standing in the room looking up perspective view a Suspended Ceiling Grid arrangement containing Modified Components with Decorative Insert Elements.

While the above-identified figures set forth several embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Sculpted Grid System consists of three component types. All of these component types have variable combination and placement capabilities when placed in a typical Suspended Ceiling Grid.

FIGS. 1 and 2 detail, in perspective, the two drawing's relative top and bottom views, of Main Component 1. The structure of this component is comprised of a Decorative Major Surface 13 disposed opposite an Interior Surface 25 forming a square Structural Floor Element 4. Four Structural Side Elements 5, forming its perimeter shape, extend upward perpendicular from the interior surface of said Structural Floor Element 4, defining a Component Cavity 6 on the Interior Surface 25. The perimeter shape of the component is equal in size to the Grid Cell Opening 12 through which it fits, as illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16. The said Structural Side Elements 5 then extend up from the Structural Floor Element 4, three to five inches, at the top of which a Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 extends outward perpendicular around the components perimeter. This Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 holds the component in position while resting on the bordering Grid Tee Flanges 11 positioning the component in the Grid Cell Opening 12, as exhibited in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16. The Structural Side Element 5 is also the Decorative Minor Surface 14 of the component and is visible beneath the Grid structure when in position. The Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 make possible the said Sculpted Grid Systems set-out style as well as its Esthetic Transitional Continuity between components. In addition, the said decorative surfaces may finished with applied color systems, laminates, and visual displays and lighting.

FIGS. 3 and 4 detail, in perspective, the two relative top and bottom views, of Transitional Component 2. This transitional element of the system could also be labeled as a Corner Component and is not limited in its shape. In this exemplary illustration a Convex Transitional Component 23 is shown. The structure of this component is comprised of a Decorative Major Surface 13 disposed opposite an Interior Surface 25 forming a three sided Structural Floor Element 4. Three Structural Side Elements 5, form its perimeter shape, extend upward perpendicular from the interior surface of said Structural Floor Element 4, defining a Component Cavity 6 on the Interior Surface 25. The perimeter shape of the component is formed of two sides joined at right angles with a third side, a right angle outward facing arc, connecting the open ends of the two sides. The said Structural Side Elements 5 then extend up from the Structural Floor Element 4, three to five inches, at the top of which a square Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 extends outward perpendicular around the components shape. The area between the top perimeter of the convex Structural Side Element 5 and the two adjacent sides of the Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 are filled with a Grid Cell Filler Element 15. This element is co-planer with bordering Flat Ceiling Panels 19 as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 17. This Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 holds the component in position while resting on the bordering Grid Tee Flanges 11 positioning the component in the Grid Cell Opening 12, as exhibited in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16. The Structural Side Element 5 is also the Decorative Minor Surface 14 of the component and is visible beneath the Grid structure when in position. The Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 make possible the said Sculpted Grid Systems set-out style as well as its Esthetic Transitional Continuity between components as shown in FIG. 10. FIGS. 5 and 6 detail, in perspective, the relative top and bottom views, of Transitional Component 2. This transitional element of the system could also be labeled as a Corner Component and is not limited in its shape. In this exemplary illustration a Concave Transitional Component 22 is shown. The structure of this component is comprised of a Decorative Major Surface 13 disposed opposite an Interior Surface 25 forming a three sided Structural Floor Element 4. Three Structural Side Elements 5, forming its perimeter shape, extend upward perpendicular from the interior surface of said Structural Floor Element 4, defining a Component Cavity 6 on the Interior Surface 25. The perimeter shape of the component is formed of two sides joined at right angles with a third side, a right angle inward facing arc, connecting tangent to the open ends of the two sides. The said Structural Side Elements 5 then extend up from the Structural Floor Element 4, three to five inches, at the top of which a square Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 extends outward perpendicular around the components shape. The area between the top perimeter of the concave Structural Side Element 5 and the two adjacent sides of the Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 are filled with a Grid Cell Filler Element 15. This element is co-planer with bordering Flat Ceiling Panels 19 as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 17. This Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 holds the component in position while resting on the bordering Grid Tee Flanges 11 positioning the component in the Grid Cell Opening 12, as exhibited in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16 The Structural Side Element 5 is also the Decorative Minor Surface 14 of the component and is visible beneath the Grid structure when in position. The Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 make possible the said Sculpted Grid Systems set-out style as well as its Esthetic Transitional Continuity between components as shown in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 7 and 8 detail, in perspective, the relative top and bottom views, of Transitional Component 2. This transitional element of the system could also be labeled as a Corner Component and is not limited in its shape. In this exemplary illustration a Diagonal Transitional Component 24 is shown. The structure of this component is comprised of a Decorative Major Surface 13 disposed opposite an Interior Surface 25 forming a three sided Structural Floor Element 4. Three Structural Side Elements 5, forming its perimeter shape, extend upward perpendicular from the interior surface of said Structural Floor Element 4, defining a Component Cavity 6 on the Interior Surface 25. The perimeter shape of the component is formed of two sides joined at right angles with a third side connecting to the open ends of the two sides at acute angles. The said Structural Side Elements 5 then extend up from the Structural Floor Element 4, three to five inches, at the top of which a square Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 extends outward perpendicular around the components shape. The area between the top perimeter of the diagonal Structural Side Element 5 and the two adjacent sides of the Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 are filled with a Grid Cell Filler Element 15. This element is co-planer with bordering Flat Ceiling Panels 19 as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 17. This Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 holds the component in position while resting on the bordering Grid Tee Flanges 11 positioning the component in the Grid Cell Opening 12, as exhibited in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16. The Structural Side Element 5 is also the Decorative Minor Surface 14 of the component and is visible beneath the Grid structure when in position. The Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 make possible the said Sculpted Grid Systems set-out style as well as its Esthetic Transitional Continuity between components as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 9 is a top elevation view of the placement and positioning of Main Components 1 and a Convex Transitional Component 23 of said Sculpted Grid System in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 36. The function of the Grid Cell Filler Element 15, of the Convex Transitional Component 23, is exhibited filling the Grid Cell Opening 12. Positioning of the components is completed with the perimeter flange 7 resting in the Grid Tee Flange 11.

FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation view of the placement of a Transitional Component 2 in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 with an arrangement of Main Components 1. The Transitional continuity provided with this Convex Transitional Component's 23 Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 and the Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 of the other Main Components 1 is shown. In addition, it is illustrated how dropping the sides of two adjacent components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16. between. The function of the Grid Cell Filler Element 15, of the Convex Transitional Component 23, is also exhibited in this drawing.

FIG. 11 is a bottom elevation view of the placement of a Transitional Component 2 in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 with an arrangement of Main Components 1. The Transitional continuity provided with this Concave Transitional Component's 22 Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 and the Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 of the other Main Components 1 is shown. In addition, it is illustrated how dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between. The function of the Grid Cell Filler Element 15, of the Concave Transitional Component 22, is exhibited filling the Grid Cell Opening 12.

FIG. 12 is a bottom elevation view of the placement of a Transitional Component 2 in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 with an arrangement of Main Components 1. The Transitional continuity provided with this Diagonal Transitional Component's 24 Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 and the Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 of the other Main Components 1 is shown. In addition, it is illustrated how dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between. The function of the Grid Cell Filler Element 15, of the Diagonal Transitional Component 24, is exhibited filling the Grid Cell Opening 12.

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 arrangement of Main Components 1, Flat Ceiling Panels 19 and Transitional Components 2 emphasizing the esthetic transitional continuity between the said Sculpted Grid System components created by the placement of Convex Transitional Components 23 and Concave Transitional Components 22. In addition, it is illustrated how dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between.

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 arrangement of Main Components 1, Flat Ceiling Panels 19 and Specific Shape Components 3. Specific Shape Components 3 share all of the properties of the Sculpted Grid System but are custom made, as in this example, for specific arrangements. In addition, it is illustrated how dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between.

FIG. 15 is a room perspective view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 arrangement of Main Components 1, Flat Ceiling Panels 19 and Transitional Components 2. Both Concave Transitional Components 22 and Convex Transitional Components 23 are shown positioned in this arrangement. This exemplary configuration emphasizes the esthetic transitional continuity ability of the Minor Decorative Surfaces 14, created by the placement of Convex Transitional Components 23 and Concave Transitional Components 22 with Main Components 1. It is further illustrated how dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between.

FIG. 16 is a room perspective view of the placement of LED Channel Lighting System 17 components attached to an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 in relation to Main Components 1. These illustrated LED light fixtures are attached, in series, to the Grid Exposed Surface 18 and are positioned Luminescent Channel 16 formed by the adjacent Structural Side Elements 5 of two Main Components 1 as well as Main Components 1 and a Transitional Components 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. The grid width LED fixture's position in the Luminescent Channel 16 allows diffused light to be transmitted down into the room without being seen except from directly below.

FIG. 17 is a room perspective view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 arrangement of Main Components 1 and Flat Ceiling Panels 19 whose wall periphery is interrupted by an Existing Architectural Column 30. The illustrated Modified Component 26 has been trimmed to fit.

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the Main Component 1, shown in FIG. 17 as the Modified Component 26, being modified. The component has been trimmed along the Cut Line 27 and the Removed Material 31 taken away.

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the Modified Component 26 shown in FIG. 18. Finishing Material 29 has been cut and attached to the components Trimmed Surfaces 28 shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view detailing the properties of the Finishing Material 29 used for the reshaping of the Modified Component 26 in FIGS. 18 and 19. This modification part is of the same code compliant material as the Components and its cross section includes a Structural Side Element 5 of the same component height with a Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 to replace lost component elements from modification.

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of an additional structural variation of a system Main Component 1 designed to incorporate a Decorative Insert Element 33. Having the same variable placement and structural properties, this Modified Component 26 incorporates in its Structural Side Element 5 a Recessed Area 35 to receive a Decorative Insert Element 33. This insert element is a molded polymer foam structure with unlimited variations of design that can be added to create arrangements with the said Sculpted Grid System.

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of another structural variation of Main Component 1 shown in FIG. 21 designed to incorporate two Decorative Insert Elements 33.

FIG. 23 is a room perspective view a Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 arrangement containing Modified Components 26 with Decorative Insert Elements 33.

Although the Sculpted Grid System disclosed herein has been described with respect to several embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. In addition, any feature disclosed with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in another embodiment, and vice-versa. 

1. I claim a suspended multi-planar ceiling system comprising: a. a plurality of grid members intersecting at right angles to form a grid of similar square or rectangular cells, cells being the space formed by and between the said assembly of grid structure members, into which ceiling tiles or other components are placed; b. a one-piece decorative ceiling component with a perimeter installation flange designed to be placed into a suspended ceiling grid with a plurality of structural elements comprising;
 1. a panel positioned parallel to a ceiling grid surface, having a decorative major surface disposed opposite an interior surface;
 2. structural side elements extending approximately perpendicular from the suspended ceiling grid surface, thereby defining a contoured body, the contoured body created by the structural side elements defining a profile shape;
 3. the structural side elements connect with approximate right angles to a filler element which extends from the structural side elements to connect to the perimeter installation flange;
 4. the contoured body is configured to form, in conjunction with adjacent bodies when installed in a section of a ceiling the grid system, a set-out construction appearing design;
 5. the contoured body, when mounted next to other countered bodies, with the contoured body and filler elements perimeter installation flange sized to allow lighting fixtures with a width similar in size to the ceiling grid to be placed on the surface of a filler plane between the contoured bodies on a on the structure of the ceiling grid;
 6. the side structural elements to have a minimum of three inches in height;
 7. the one piece decorative component may have (having?) floors approximately equal in area to the entire ceiling grid square area, or the one piece decorative components may have (having?) floors occupying only part of the ceiling grid square area with a filler section approximately at right angles to the structural side elements of the component that extend to the perimeter installation flange; c. lighting fixtures, that fit into the luminescent channels, attach to the cross tee and main runner structural components of a suspended grid system in locations where lighting is desired. 